Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-10
COustantinopIe.

COustantinopIe.
The reignng Sultan of Turkey, Abdu
Hamid, is the thirty fourth ruler of the o.
man dynasty, and the twenty. eighth since
the taking of Constautinople. He was born
September q, 1912, and is the second son Of
the Sultan Abdul Medjid, having succeeded
his deposed elder brother, Mourad Y, in
1876. His eldest SOD, Mohammed Selim, is
lad of sixteen. Abdul Hamid is described
by one who knows him as small, spare
man, with an olive complexion, and restless
black eyes that are constantly wandering
as if in apprehension of some danger. He
lives in constant fear of assassination, which
is not strange since violent death seems
the destiny of the rulers of Turkey, and
never quits his palace except to go to pray.
ers. when he goes forth surrounded by an
army of guards, carefully concealing from
the public the name Of the mosque to which
he is going The annual visit which he is
obliged to pay to the Mosque Of st. Sophia
is regarded by him with great dread, and is
made with every possible precautiou. He
is courteous in his bearing ard very polite
to Americans.
The Mosque OF Suleiman the Magnificent
is the most beautiful mosque in CONSTANT
nople. Ii was built with the intention of
surprising ST. Sophia, which it far excels in
grandeur and was thirty-six years in con-
struction, having been begun in 1850. 1t
has four minaretS, two large ones with three
galleries. and two small ones with two GAL
leries, q large central dome, equaliug that OF
st. Sophia in diameter, and exceeding it
twenty feet in height, two half domes and
ten small ones. In front of the mosque is a
large court, surrounded by a gallery formed
OF twenty. four columns each sustaining o
cupola.
All mosques have fountains and washing
places for The abusons of the true believers
before going TO prayer As the washing
must be done with running water, outside
the principal mosques numerous little taps
along the thanking walls pour forth narrow
streams of water, spashing onto slabs of
white marble, giving cool and very re.
freshing sensation as the liquid sparkles in
the sunlight.
All sorts and conditions of men abound at
Constan,inople. The Turks, although the
ruling people, are in the minority. The
Constantnople Turk is a hybrid creature,
with very little real Turkman blood in him !;
must be looked for in the Asiatic vlayets.
It is possible to live many years in the city
and yet know nothing Of them but as they
sppear in the streets. With their women it
is almost impossible 10 become acquainted.
Every wndow of tne haremlk, or woman 8
quarters, in 8 Turkish house, is closely lat
ticed, and their retirement, although less
strict than with the Persians, mas relaxed
very little Of recent years. During early
summer large bodies OF them collect at the
valley Of the Sweet Waters. This is the
best opportunity for seeing them en- masse.
The richer hanoums are fond Of riding
about 10 broughams at such times as the
Bairams the Mevloud, aud the anniversary
of the Sultan's accession to the throne the
streets are crowded with these carriages /; it
is perhaps unnecessary to say that their oc-
cuDants are not accompanied by their hus-
bands, but under the surveillance of their
drivers or mounted attendants; in nearly
every case they will be found stout and
elderly. Now and again q memorable face
may be deserted. Intrigues Of the sort com.
mon in the Levant are practically unknown
with Turkish women. However intimate
you may become with a Turk, you will
never pass beyond the zelami!k. Upon the
railways, tramways and steamers there is 8
compartment reserved fof the tairer sex
This secluson is not, as might be sup
posed, against the woman's feelings
will has been lost in habit, and woman
who transgressed the proprieties estab
lshed would be the scorn of every harem
It is q rare thing to see turban proper up
CT the head of any person; the fez is worn
everywhere; by strict Turks compromise
is effected by folding handkerchief round
the fez, and the head-dress which results i:
very becoming The fez suits man with &
finely developed head; otherwise it gives
him comical, orang-outang look. So fond
of it are its wearers that they refuse to dis
place it. 1t is worn at the theatres, at din
ner, ETC.. and, for aught that is known tt
the contrary, may be slept in, for apar
from the tassel it would form an admirable
nightcap. When finally off duty it repose
upon block like bsrrister's wig.
A Turk is fine sight on horseback, fo
he is q born rider; he proceeds easily will
long stirrups and loose rein, balancing hi
body to every motion of the horse. Per
haps he relies too much upon the balance
and wonld fud himself at sea where a stiff
grip is necessary.-Hnper's Bazar.